Thanking & Apologizing – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What did Lucy first want to buy for Tom?
(A) A movie DVD.
(B) A football shirt.
(C) A travel guide.
2 Why didn’t Lucy buy the first gift she thought of?
(A) It was too expensive.
(B) The shop was closed.
(C) They didn’t have the right size.
3 What is Tom’s reaction to the book?
(A) He is very happy because he wanted it.
(B) He is disappointed because he bought it yesterday.
(C) He thinks it is too small for him.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) A football shirt.
- Key: Lucy says, “I originally wanted to get you that new football shirt.”
- Trap: Option (A) is a trap because she “thought about” it later but it wasn’t the first choice. Option (C) is the final gift, not the first idea.
2 (C) They didn’t have the right size.
- Key: Lucy explains, “but they didn’t have your size in the shop.”
- Trap: Options (A) and (B) are common reasons for not buying something, but they are not mentioned in the script.
3 (A) He is very happy because he wanted it.
- Key: Tom says, “This is amazing! I’ve been wanting this for months.”
- Trap: Option (B) is a “Twist” trap. Tom mentioned “yesterday” and “bought”, but he said he almost bought it, meaning he doesn’t have it yet. Option (C) uses the word “size” from a different part of the story to confuse the listener.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Lucy: Happy Birthday, Tom! Here, I brought a little something for you.
Tom: Oh, thanks, Lucy! You really didn’t have to. Um… let me see. Is it a… oh!
Lucy: Well, I originally wanted to get you that new football shirt you liked, but they didn’t have your size in the shop. Then I thought about getting a movie DVD, but I remembered you prefer reading.
Tom: It’s the new Japan travel guide! This is amazing! I’ve been wanting this for months. I actually almost bought it myself yesterday, but I’m glad I waited. Thank you so much, Lucy!
Lucy: I’m so happy you like it. I knew it was the perfect choice for you!
Listening 2
Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 How late was Anna?
(A) 5 minutes.
(B) 10 minutes.
(C) 15 minutes.
2 How did Anna travel to the cinema?
(A) By bus.
(B) By subway.
(C) By car.
3 Why was Anna late?
(A) She forgot the time of the movie.
(B) She left her house too late.
(C) There was too much traffic on the road.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) 10 minutes.
- Key: Anna asks, “I’m ten minutes behind schedule, aren’t I?” (Behind schedule = late).
- Trap: Option (C) 15 minutes is a trap because the movie starts in 15 minutes, but that’s not how late she was.
2 (A) By bus.
- Key: Anna said she “decided to take the bus instead”.
- Trap: Option (B) is a “Twist” trap. She planned to take the subway but changed her mind at the last minute.
3 (C) There was too much traffic on the road.
- Key: Anna confirms there was a “terrible traffic jam”.
- Trap: Option (B) is a trap because Anna specifically said “I left my house early”, so the time she left was not the problem.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Leo: Hey Anna! Over here, near the ticket counter!
Anna: Oh, Leo! I’m so, so sorry I’m late. I’m ten minutes behind schedule, aren’t I?
Leo: It’s okay, don’t worry. But what happened? You are usually very punctual.
Anna: Well, I left my house early and planned to take the subway. But then I decided to take the bus instead because it stops right in front of the cinema.
Leo: And let me guess… the traffic?
Anna: Exactly! There was a terrible traffic jam on Main Street. It was a huge mistake. I should have stuck with the subway.
Leo: It’s fine. The movie doesn’t start for another fifteen minutes anyway. Let’s go buy some popcorn!
Anna: Phew! Thanks for being so nice about it. Let’s go!
Listening 3
Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What did they eat for dinner?
(A) Roast chicken.
(B) Pasta.
(C) Pizza.
2 Why didn’t Sarah cook her original plan?
(A) She forgot to buy the ingredients.
(B) Her oven was broken.
(C) David doesn’t eat meat.
3 What does David promise to do next time?
(A) Fix the oven.
(B) Bring dessert.
(C) Cook the dinner.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Pasta.
- Key: David says, “I actually prefer pasta anyway,” which means that is what they ate. He also compliments her tomato sauce.
- Trap: Option (A) is the classic “Twist” trap. Sarah planned to make roast chicken, but she couldn’t. Option (C) is a popular food, but it is not mentioned in the audio.
2 (B) Her oven was broken.
- Key: Sarah explains the problem by saying, “my oven stopped working this afternoon.”
- Trap: Options (A) and (C) are plausible reasons for changing a dinner menu, but they are not mentioned in the conversation.
3 (B) Bring dessert.
- Key: At the end of the conversation, David says, “I’ll bring dessert next time.”
- Trap: Option (A) is a trap because the word “oven” is mentioned when Sarah hopes it will be fixed, but David does not promise to fix it himself.
AUDIO SCRIPT
David: Well, um, look at the time. I really should get going. Thank you so much for a lovely dinner, Sarah.
Sarah: You’re very welcome, David. Ah, I’m just sorry about the food. I originally planned to roast a chicken, but my oven stopped working this afternoon.
David: Oh, don’t worry about it at all! I actually prefer pasta anyway. And your tomato sauce was absolutely delicious.
Sarah: Phew, I’m so glad you liked it. Next time you come over, hopefully, the oven will be fixed!
David: That sounds great. I’ll bring dessert next time. Goodnight, Sarah!
Listening 4
Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 Why does Amy need the notebook tonight?
(A) To study for a test on Friday.
(B) To finish her science homework.
(C) To lend it to another friend.
2 Where is the notebook now?
(A) On the kitchen table.
(B) In Jack’s backpack.
(C) At the school library.
3 When and where will Jack return the notebook?
(A) Tonight at Amy’s house.
(B) Tomorrow morning at the library.
(C) On Friday before the test.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) To finish her science homework.
- Key: Amy says, “I really need it to finish the homework tonight.”
- Trap: Option (A) is a trap. She mentions a test on Friday, but the immediate reason she needs it tonight is for the homework.
2 (A) On the kitchen table.
- Key: Jack explains that he “left the notebook there” (on the kitchen table) when he rushed out.
- Trap: Option (B) is a common distractor. Students might assume it’s in his bag since he’s at school, but the “twist” is that he forgot it.
3 (B) Tomorrow morning at the library.
- Key: Jack promises, “I’ll meet you at the library at 8:00 AM” (tomorrow).
- Trap: Option (C) is mentioned as the day of the test, and Option (A) is not suggested in the final agreement.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Amy: Hey, Jack! Do you have my science notebook? I really need it to finish the homework tonight.
Jack: Oh, no! Amy, I am so sorry. I don’t have it with me.
Amy: Oh, really? But you promised to bring it today.
Jack: I know, I feel terrible. I actually put it right next to my keys on the kitchen table last night so I wouldn’t forget it. But this morning, I was in such a hurry to catch the bus that I grabbed my keys and left the notebook there!
Amy: That’s too bad. I have a big test on Friday and I need to study.
Jack: I’m really sorry. I tell you what, I’ll bring it to school first thing tomorrow morning. I’ll meet you at the library at 8:00 AM. Is that okay?
Amy: Well, okay. I guess I can work on my math homework tonight instead. See you tomorrow then.
Jack: Thanks for understanding, Amy. I won’t forget it again, I promise!
Listening 5
Listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).
1 What has Mark been doing for the last five hours?
(A) Washing the dishes.
(B) Working on his computer.
(C) Taking out the trash.
2 Which chores did Anna finish?
(A) Washing the dishes and taking out the trash.
(B) Cleaning the living room and the kitchen.
(C) Doing the laundry and going for a run.
3 Why did Anna decide to help Mark?
(A) Because she was bored.
(B) Because Mark asked her for help.
(C) Because she couldn’t go for a run due to the weather.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Working on his computer.
- Key: Mark says, “I’ve been staring at this computer screen for five hours!”
- Trap: Options (A) and (C) are things he planned to do after finishing work, but he hasn’t done them yet.
2 (A) Washing the dishes and taking out the trash.
- Key: Anna says, “I did the dishes and emptied the trash for you.”
- Trap: Option (C) mentions “going for a run”, but that was her original plan that she didn’t do.
3 (C) Because she couldn’t go for a run due to the weather.
- Key: Anna explains the “Twist”: she wanted to go for a run, “but it started raining,” so she stayed to help.
- Trap: Option (B) is wrong because Mark was surprised; he didn’t ask her.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Mark: Phew! I finally finished that project. I’ve been staring at this computer screen for five hours!
Anna: Well done, Mark! You look exhausted.
Mark: I am. I was just about to go to the kitchen to wash the dishes and take out the trash, but… wait, the kitchen is already clean!
Anna: Surprise! I did the dishes and emptied the trash for you while you were working.
Mark: Oh, Anna! Thank you so much! That is so kind of you. You really didn’t have to.
Anna: No problem. I actually planned to go for a run in the park, but it started raining. So, I decided to stay inside and help you with the chores instead.
Mark: Well, I really appreciate it. You’re the best sister ever!